Parents As Teachers

St. Clair R13 Parents as Teachers

Words Your Child Understands

The best sign of your child’s language development before age 2 is not what she says, but what she understands. This is called receptive language. Watch for signs that your child understands you when you talk to her. Get several familiar objects and tell her to pick up a certain one. For example, put out a shoe, ball and block several feet away from her. Then say, “Get the ball, Mary. Pick up the ball.” Or say, “Where’s the shoe, Mary? Pick up the shoe.”

Play pat-a-cake or wave bye-bye. Move her body with the gesture while you say the words. Make the gesture while you say the words. Make the gesture yourself while you say the words. Try to get her to imitate you. Whenever she happens to make the correct gesture accidentally, say “Oh, you are waving bye-bye!” or “Oh, that’s how we play pat-a-cake!” and imitate what she is doing.

Beginning to Count

Your child may be able to say “1-2-3-4-5” in the right order. And it is a thrill to hear her count! But she may not realize that each number has value – that is, each number stands for a specific quantity of something. Ways to help your children learn about numbers-

Her play naturally uses a variety of pre-number activities. She compares, matches, classifies, organizes, forms patters, measures, and sorts. Through these activities, she combines images, meanings, and language to build number concepts.

Family Fun Day at the Edgar Murray School

April 25th, 11am-2pm

*Lots of child oriented activities for you and your family to enjoy. Hope to see you there!
Tips for Parents during Times of Trauma

*Children’s basic needs remain the same, especially during times of crisis. Remember the importance of routines – try to keep regular mealtimes and bedtimes. Spend quiet time reading each night to create calm.

*Turn off the TV and radio when children are around. You control the information they need to have and how it is presented. Young children need to know only a few details about traumatic events and do not need to hear details repeated over and over.

*Answer questions in an age-appropriate way and reassure children. What they need to hear most is that the adults around them will take care of and protect them.

*Try to stay as calm as possible around children. It is appropriate for children to see adults showing emotion, but it frightens them when their parents lose control. If you feel emotional, try to remove yourself briefly until you can calm down.

*Children can be very resilient – if they feel listened to, supported and taken care of by parents and caretakers. They are not little adults. They need to be in a caring environment that fits their developmental needs, even in times of crises.

*Take care of yourself and address your own needs. This allows you to take care of your child.

*Do not be afraid to seek help for yourself or your child if reactions or coping become difficult to manage. These are unusual circumstances. It is normal not to have all the answers.

St. Clair R13 School District’s Parents as Teachers program serves children ages Prenatal – 5 years old. We want to remind parents they are their child’s first and most influential teacher. Please call 636-629-3500 x 5010 to set up a time to meet with a Parent Educator.